Talk to North Korea

Once again the Security Council has had its moment of self-gratification by voting unanimously for stringent sanctions against North Korea. North Korea showed its mettle by firing six projectiles in defiance.

The sanctions have loopholes that are easily skirted by the stroke of a pen.

Recently, North Korea suggested meetings leading to a peace treaty, to formally end the nearly 66-year-old Korean War. The United States flatly spurned the idea, for the North refuses to accept Washington’s conditions.

It is the plain truth that only diplomacy and upfront discussion with Pyongyang will settle the matter. Until then, we can expect endless cycles of sanctions and pious speeches.

ROBERT CAMBRIA

New York

The writer is a former chairman of the Committee for a New Korea Policy.